Highlight Communications vs Sony

Constantin Film Prepares for New Investor Amid Financing Uncertainty

Constantin Film, a major German film and TV production company, is preparing for a potential new investor amid financial uncertainty at its sole shareholder, Highlight Communications. The company's 2025 revenue surged to €329 million, but profitability nearly halved due to rising costs. After abandoning its planned €20 million series 'Die Päpstin,' Constantin faces revenue shortfalls. Highlight has pledged its Constantin shares as collateral and must refinance a €64 million bank loan by November, with possible sale or partial transfer to lenders. At an extraordinary general meeting, Constantin converted all preferred shares into common shares, authorized new capital up to 6.37 million shares, and expanded its supervisory board, indicating readiness for a minority investor while maintaining Highlight's control.

• Constantin Film's revenue reached €329 million in 2025, up 24% year-over-year.
• Operating profit nearly halved to €5.6 million in 2025 due to rising costs.
• Highlight Communications must refinance a €64 million bank loan by end of November.

New Bill Would Let Gamers Resell Digital Games and Keep Playing After Shutdowns

Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) has proposed the 'Power To The Players Act', which would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish rules protecting consumers' rights to own, resell, and continue accessing digital video games they purchase. The legislation aims to give buyers ownership rather than a license, enable resale or transfer of digital games, and mandate offline modes before servers shut down. The announcement cites NBA 2K25 as an example, which will be delisted in October 2026 and its servers shut down in December 2026. The bill has not yet been introduced formally, and no bill number or full text is available. The proposal addresses growing concerns about long-term access to digital purchases, echoing similar issues with digital movies and TV shows.

• Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) announced the 'Power To The Players Act' on 2026-10-18
• The bill would direct the FTC to establish rules for digital game ownership, resale, and offline access
• NBA 2K25 cited as example: delisted from stores on October 30, 2026; servers shut down on December 31, 2026

Elite Media CEO Breaks Agency Rules

In a fireside chat at ADWEEK House, Elite Media founder and CEO Chris Crawford discussed his unconventional agency philosophy. He talked about starting his agency in a Harlem apartment, focusing on deep client relationships rather than constant new business, and creating his own opportunities, such as when he sold the Stomp the Yard platform to Sony. Crawford highlighted his community-focused approach, including giving $3,000 self-care grants to 50 educators instead of attending Cannes, and his refusal to work with tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or predatory lending companies. His actions demonstrate a belief in defining success on one's own terms.

• Elite Media founder Chris Crawford sold the Stomp the Yard platform to Sony.
• Elite Media gave $3,000 self-care grants to 50 educators instead of attending Cannes.
• Elite Media refuses business from tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or predatory lending companies.

Going Beyond Investment: How the Sony Innovation Fund Builds a Global Co-Creation Ecosystem

New blog post published on October 13, 2026, discussing the Sony Innovation Fund's approach to building a global co-creation ecosystem.